FOREIGN POLICY/RUSSIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/UKRAINE: “President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday [9-5-17] that any delivery of weapons by the Trump administration to Ukraine’s government could inflame hostilities and cause Russia-supported separatists to expand the theater of conflict.
The comments are the Kremlin’s starkest warning yet about the potential consequences of any deliveries, and underscore the dilemma the White House faces as it considers sending weapons…
The U.S. Pentagon and State Department have drawn up plans to supply Ukraine with antitank missile and other weaponry and are seeking approval from the White House, according to U.S. officials.
The front lines of the conflict, which has cost some 10,000 lives, have been largely set in place by two peace agreements, although fighting continues at a handful of hot spots. Little progress has been made on the political part of the agreements, which envisions the reintegration of the breakaway territories into Ukraine.
The U.S. has backed Ukraine with financial support and some equipment, such as short-range radar and night-vision goggles. But the Obama administration didn’t send weapons amid opposition from European leaders nervous about deepening the conflict.
Mr. Putin said Tuesday that any weapons deliveries wouldn’t change the situation, and would only cause more deaths. Ukrainian officials say that deliveries would deter Russia from any attempts to advance further.”
-James Marson, “Putin Warns Trump Administration Against Sending Weapons to Ukraine,” The Wall Street Journal online, Sept. 5, 2017 09:25am